3.89, 516 School list and application question

[tmav]

I am debating on applying to medical school this cycle or next and need some advice. I graduated undergrad last year with a 3.89 gpa and a degree in stem. I work in finance at a well known bank now. I feel like my application is weak and I want to know what schools I have a chance in right now, and whether or not I should take another year to help me in weak areas. I am also debating retaking my mcat (516), I know it’s a good score already, but I was sick on test day and my FL average across 5 practice tests was 520. What should I do? Also, will working at a bank hurt my chances in medical school? Should I not mention it in my application? Will it make me seem less committed to medicine?

Volunteer hours: 150
Clinical hours: 50 non paid scribe
Shadowing hours: 50 across 4 specialties
Research: 1200, 1 pub, 1 poster, 3 presentations

What do you think?

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[einvincible12]

1. Retaking your MCAT is stupid, do not do that.
2. No one cares that you work in banking either way most likely.
3. You have nearly zero clinical, you likely will not get accepted with this low of clinical.

I would take a gap year, work clinical and do more volunteering with those in need(not sure what your current volunteering is comprised of), and you should have a good chance at an A.

 

[tmav]

1. Retaking your MCAT is stupid, do not do that.
2. No one cares that you work in banking either way most likely.
3. You have nearly zero clinical, you likely will not get accepted with this low of clinical.

I would take a gap year, work clinical and do more volunteering with those in need(not sure what your current volunteering is comprised of), and you should have a good chance at an A.

I appreciate the reply. Ya my clinical is very low. All my volunteer is with underserved communities. I speak Spanish and so it’s mainly with the underserved Latin community in my areas. I will definitely work on my clinical hours.

 

[ecobio]

i agree, you should focus on bolstering your clinical experience as well as your non-clinical volunteering

 

[Goro]

You have stats that Merit aiming high. But to do that you're going to need to have the app to back that up.
You should focus in on 200 hours of clinical experience, and 200 hours of non clinical volunteering.

Do what you love, and love what you do.

 

[tmav]

You have stats that Merit aiming high. But to do that you're going to need to have the app to back that up.
You should focus in on 200 hours of clinical experience, and 200 hours of non clinical volunteering.

Do what you love, and love what you do.

Thank you! Do you think it would be worth submitting my app a little later, like July, would be worth it to get some extra hours? Does it look poorly to re apply? Because I feel like I should just try to apply and if I don’t get in it’s clear what I need to work on. I really appreciate the advice!

 

[Goro]

Thank you! Do you think it would be worth submitting my app a little later, like July, would be worth it to get some extra hours? Does it look poorly to re apply? Because I feel like I should just try to apply and if I don’t get in it’s clear what I need to work on. I really appreciate the advice!

Apply when you are 100% ready you're not ready.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

I tend to recommend 250 hours minimum clinical and non-clinical each for high-metrics applicants to make sure you keep up with your other applicants, who will have hundreds more. Not that 200 is "bad," but I want to make sure you are comfortably on par with other applicants. But I agree you don't have enough experience hours; unless you have a strong mission fit, your chances are very difficult.

 

[GoSpursGo]

Moving to wamc